18
Lesson 18 of 84 · Energy
ExperimentBalanced and Unbalanced Forces
What You'll Learn
Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, so an object stays still or moves at constant speed. Unbalanced forces cause an object to accelerate or change direction.
Key Words
- potential
- work
Materials Needed
- blocks
- spring scale
- stopwatch
Safety First
- Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
- Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Steps
Step 1 — Read
Read and learn: Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, so an object stays still or moves at constant speed. Unbalanced forces cause an object to accelerate or change direction.
Step 2 — Do
Follow the procedure carefully, step by step.
Step 3 — Observe
Look for patterns in your observations.
Step 4 — Record
Make a graph or chart showing your results.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What do balanced forces result in?